Lot 55D128: Black Book, Tab 2: Telegram
The Commander in Chief, Far East (Ridgway) to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
operational immediate
CX–52498. This msg in 2 parts. Ref CINCFE C 51981, 1 October 51.
Part 1. Translation of msg received from Kim and Peng has been forwarded to you by mymsgs HNC 3401 and ZX 41988.2
[Page 1009]Part 2. I will release the fol msg to the press simultaneously at Tokyo and CINCUNC Adv at 2030 I 8 October and an authenticated copy will be delivered to the Communist Liaison Officers as soon as practicable thereafter:
“Generals Kim Il Sung and Peng Teh Huai:
“1. Your msg of 7 October 1951 has been received. I refer you to my previous msgs and again categorically state that the responsibility for the delay in the negotiations during the past several weeks is yours.
“2. In my msgs to you of 27 Sep and 4 October, I stated the fundamental condition which must exist in order to insure equality of control and equality of movement to, from and within the conference site. That condition is, I repeat, that the conference site be situated approximately midway between our respective front lines. Only so, can each side be expected to discharge its share of responsibility for the security of the approaches to the conference site and the security of the site itself.
“3. In regard to your proposed expansion of the neutral zone, it is my view that all that is now necessary is a small neutral zone around the new conference site, with Kaesong, Munsan and the roads to Pan Mun Jom from Kaesong and Munsan free from attack by both sides.
“4. In the belief that a site in the immediate vicinity of Pan Mun Jom will meet the fundamental condition of equality of movement and control that you will share my views regarding its neutrality I am instructing my Liaison Officers to meet with yours at 1000 hours on 10 October for the purpose of discussing matters concerning the resumption of negotiations by our respective delegations. Signed M B Ridgway, General, United States Army, Commander in Chief, United Nations Command.”